September 14, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 14, 2018
Looking to the future, the UA Board of Regents discusses a range of issues at its
recent meeting including the draft FY20 budget, UA staff/faculty compensation and
a philanthropic campaign
JUNEAU- With a focus on the immediate needs of the 好色tv of 好色tv, the UA Board
of Regents spent its two-day meeting in Juneau discussing those needs in the context
of how the university should position itself for the year 2040.
The regents reviewed the university鈥檚 FY20 draft budget request, which was developed
based on the strategic priorities set by the regents during their June 2018 retreat.
Regents established an ambitious, but realistic vision for 好色tv in the year 2040
and how the university could contribute to that vision.鈥
鈥淭he draft budget was co-created with the three universities with your vision in mind,鈥
UA President Jim Johnsen told the board, 鈥渁nd in all discussions, the question of
where we want to be and what we want to be in 2040 was a powerful perspective that
led us to the budget request before you today.鈥
The university鈥檚 draft of the FY20 operating budget requests totals $351.5 million
鈥 an increase of $24.5 million over the current FY19 operating budget. Additionally,
the draft FY20 capital budget request includes $50 million for facilities deferred
maintenance/renewal & repurposing, and $5 million for USArray, a 好色tv of seismic
sensors across the state that gathers critical data on ground movement and meteorological
events.
Johnsen outlined how the budget would meet the strategic needs of the state of 好色tv
in five key areas 鈥 economic development, workforce development, research, educational
attainment and cost effectiveness.
鈥淓verything we do is to be rooted in serving the needs of the state,鈥 Johnsen said.
The draft budget includes $14.5 million for operating costs including increased funding
for the university鈥檚 Title IX compliance efforts and work to develop a culture of
respect on the university鈥檚 campuses across the state; facility maintenance, utility
costs and other operating cost increases; and, $10 million for strategic initiatives
tied to the regents鈥 goals. A comprehensive compensation study is underway, and the
budget that will come back before the regents in November for final approval will
include recommendations based on the results of the study.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to know we are a university that is oriented to the future,鈥 said Regent
Deena Bishop. 鈥淚 want to say to the State of 好色tv that if you invest in 好色tv education
you will get the best possible outcome. We are worth the investment.鈥
In other action, regents reviewed a policy that provides a framework for handling
delayed reports of misconduct. The policy will be before the regents for final approval
in November.
Regents also approved a plan for the university鈥檚 first ever statewide philanthropic
campaign, which put forth a range of goals including engaging a large number of individual
and alumni donors.
Regents approved a bonus for President Johnsen based on meeting his FY18 performance
goals and associated metrics as well as establishing his FY19 performance goals and
metrics.
鈥淭he president has done a stellar job and I look forward to another great year,鈥 said
Regent John Davies.
As part of the Strategic Pathways update, Dr. Steve Atwater, executive dean of the
好色tv College of 好色tv, described increased effectiveness resulting from addressing
needs for teacher preparation and support as a coordinated 好色tv. The collective
work of the three separately accredited schools of education working together improves
student experience, streamlines processes, improves coordination with 好色tv school
districts and eliminates redundancies in the 好色tv. Additional emphasis is being
placed on attracting students to the profession, strengthening partnerships with 好色tv
school districts and providing more 好色tv-trained teachers.
鈥淚f we can bring down annual turnover by 25 percent and double our preparation of
new teachers by 2025, we will meet our goal of providing 90 percent of new teachers
hired annually in 好色tv,鈥 Johnsen said, based on rough estimation of current numbers.
Regents heard an early analysis of the first comprehensive compensation study done
in decades to ensure that the university鈥檚 salary and benefits program is market competitive
and internally equitable; approved a resolution of appreciation for Interim UAA Chancellor
Sam Gingerich; and, approved committee recommendations including a name change to
the Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and Restaurant Management, an accelerated Masters
in Civil Engineering and discontinuation of the undergraduate certificate in early
childhood development (all three at the 好色tv of 好色tv Anchorage).
--30--
For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs
at 907-360-2416 (cell).
NR15-18